Method and apparatus for an upright food holder

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for consuming a wrapped food item in a non-dining or informal dining environment. The method comprises placing the wrapped food item into an upright food holder, removing one or more portions of the upright food holder during a process of consuming the o wrapped toed item, wherein the wrapped food item comprises a substantially cylindrical shape. In one embodiment, the upright food holder comprises a tapered cup designed such that portions of the tapered cup are removed during a process of consuming the wrapped food item. Methods for removing portions of the upright food holder comprise string, tape, and perforations. The wrapped food items may be Is burritos, wraps, shawarmas, gyros, falafels, and special shaped sandwiches.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application and claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 12/698,163, filed Feb. 2, 2010 and entitled “Method and Apparatus for An Upright Food Holder”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to food container suitable for use when eating wrapped food items in a fast food environment or a non-dining environment, such as at a desk.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Eating a wrapped food item, such as a burrito, may be difficult and messy in a non-dining or informal dining environment. In such environments, one does not have a plate or utensils to facilitate the processing of eating. When eating, at a desk, or in a car, or on an airplane, it would be desirable if the wrapped food item were placed in as stable container that would allow one to eat the wrapped food item without the contents of the food item spilling or the use of utensils or other apparatus.

SUMMARY

The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for consuming a wrapped food item in a non-dining or informal dining environment. The method comprises placing, the wrapped food item into an upright food holder removing one or more portions of the upright food holder during a process of consuming the wrapped food item, wherein the wrapped food item comprises a substantially cylindrical shape. In one embodiment, the upright food holder comprises a tapered cup designed such that portions of the tapered cup are removed during a process of consuming the wrapped food item. Methods for removing portions of the upright food holder may comprise the use of string, tape, or perforations. The dimensions of the upright food holder and the degree of taper of the upright food holder is selected so that the upright food holder is stable when the wrapped food item is placed in the upright food holder

When the upright food holder comprises a tapered cup, wherein the tapered cup comprises one or more sections that divide the upright food holder into one or more rings, the method for consuming a wrapped food item is as follows:

-   -   unwrapping a protective cover from a first portion from the         wrapped food item, wherein the first portion of the wrapped food         item extends from top of is the upright food holder to top of         the wrapped food item;     -   consuming the first portion of the wrapped food item;     -   pulling a peel-away tab located between a first section and a         second section of the upright food holder;     -   removing the first section of the upright food holder and         exposing a second portion of the wrapped food item, wherein the         second portion of the wrapped food item extends from the top of         the second section of the upright food holder to the top of         remaining portion of the wrapped food item;     -   repeating the above process for each of the rings of the upright         food holder.

In an alternative embodiment, the upright food holder comprises tapered cup, wherein the tapered cup comprises a spiraling circular strip which is peeled-away in order to expose additional portions of wrapped food item. In another alternative embodiment, the upright food holder comprises a tapered cup, wherein the tapered cup comprises multiple perpendicular strips that extend from top of the upright food holder to the bottom of the upright food holder, wherein a flexible band or a flexible ring is moved down the upright Food holder, allowing the multiple perpendicular strips to be peeled-away from the top of the upright food holder down to the flexible band or the flexible strips (similar to a banana) in order to expose additional portions of wrapped food item

The wrapped food items may be burritos, wraps, shawarmas, gyros, falafels, and special shaped sandwiches. The wrapped food item may be wrapped with a protective cover, such as tin foil.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The elements in the figures are not, necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

Figure (“FIG.”) 1 illustrates an upright food holder comprising three sections or rings, according to one embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates an item of food wrapped in a substantially cylindrical shape placed in an upright food holder, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a burrito placed in an upright food holder, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a partially consumed food wrapped item located in the upright food holder, according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 4A illustrates an upright food holder with one section (ring) removed, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B illustrates an upright food holder with one section (ring) being removed, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4C illustrates an upright food holder with a burrito with one section (ring) removed, and the discarded tin foil, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates the remaining upright food holder, with one section (ring) removed, with an additional portion of the wrapped food item consumed, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second section (ring) has been removed, from the upright food holder, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates an additional portion of the wrapped food item is consumed in the upright food holder wherein two rings have been removed, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an upright food holder wherein the upright fixed holder may be to reduced in size by removing the sides of the upright food holder in a circular manner, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an upright food holder wherein the upright food holder is reduced in size by moving a flexible band or a flexible ring down the upright food. holder—from the top of the upright food holder to the bottom—allowing the multiple perpendicular strips (relative to the top and bottom of the upright food holder) to be peeled-away from the top of the upright food holder down to the flexible band or the flexible ring (similar to a banana), according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Definitions

-   -   An “upright food holder” is a cup or glass shaped apparatus that         is able to support a wrapped food item when placed in the         upright food holder. One example of a wrapped food item is a         burrito. While consuming a wrapped food item, the height of the         upright food holder may be reduced by removing portions of the         sides of the upright food holder to facilitate the consumption         process.     -   A “wrapped food item” is an item of food that is wrapped and has         a substantially cylindrical shape. Examples of wrapped food         items include, but are not limited to, burritos, wraps,         shawarmas, gyros, falafels. Special shaped sandwiches may also         be wrapped food items. A wrapped food item may be wrapped in a         protective cover such as tin foil.

Upright Food Holder

An upright food holder is an apparatus for facilitating consumption of a wrapped food item. The upright food holder may comprise a cup that may or may not be tapered. In one embodiment, the upright food holder is a tapered cup designed it) such that portions of the tapered cup are removed during a process of consuming the wrapped food item. The upright food holder is a cup that is slightly tapered, with the top of the cup having a larger size than the bottom of the cup. The dimensions of the tapered cup vat depending upon the dimensions of the wrapped food item. The upright food holder may be constructed with a variety of materials such as paper or plastic. The upright food holder may be fabricated with a variety of techniques to facilitate the removal of portion of the upright food holder, such as tape, string, or perforated material. One skilled in the art will recognize that other fabrication techniques and other materials may be utilized in the upright food holder.

The dimensions of the upright food holder and the degree of taper of the upright food holder may be selected so that the upright food holder is stable when the wrapped food item is placed in the upright food holder. One may consume the wrapped food item with the use of utensils.

The removable portions of the upright food holder may be referred to as removable sections, removable rings or removable snips of the upright food holder.

FIG. 1 illustrates embodiment 100 of an upright food holder 101. As shown, the upright food holder 101 comprises the general shape of a tapered cup, wherein the top of the cup is larger than the bottom of the cup. There are two configurations for the upright food holder 101. In the first configuration, bottom 109 has a solid or closed base similar to the base of a typical coffee cup. In the second configuration, the bottom 109 has an open base, (not shown) In both the first and the second configuration the top 110 of the upright food holder 101 is open. The degree the cup is tapered may vary so long as the wrapped food item is stable when placed in the upright food holder. The aforementioned structure applies to the embodiments disclosed in the subsequent figures.

The upright food holder 101 further comprises one or more sections that divide the tapered cup into rings. As illustrated in FIG. 1, upright food holder 101 comprises three sections, a first section 104, a second section 105, and a third section 106. First section 104 and second section 105 may be referred to as rings when they are removed from the upright foot holder 101. The sections (i.e. rings) may be removed one at a time by separating a one section from a lower section at the demarcation between the sections. In FIG. 1, the demarcations are illustrated by demarcation 102 and demarcation 103.

Although this embodiment of the upright food holder comprises three sections, other embodiments are possible with a different quantity of sections.

FIG. 2A illustrates embodiment 200 wherein an item of food wrapped in a substantially cylindrical shape is placed in an upright food holder. As shown, a wrapped food item 201 is placed in the upright food holder 101. FIG. 2B illustrates embodiment 250 wherein a burrito 252 placed in an upright food holder 251. The burrito 252 is wrapped in a protective cover wherein in this example the protective cover is tin foil 253. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, part of the tin foil 253 is torn away.

As previously described in FIG. 1, the upright food holder 101 has a first configuration where the bottom 109 is a solid or closed base, and in the second configuration the upright food holder 101 has an open base. In either configuration, the wrapped food item 201 does not extend beyond the end of the upright food holder 101 since the taper on the upright food holder 101 is such that the wrapped food item 201 is prevented from extending beyond the end of the upright food holder 101.

FIG. 3 illustrates embodiment 300 wherein a partially consumed food wrapped item is located in the upright food holder. As shown, a first portion of the wrapped food item 301 has been consumed such that there is now a small amount of the wrapped food item above the upright food holder 101.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first section 104 of the upright food holder 101 may be removed by peeling off a portion of the upright food holder 101. The first section 104 is separated from the second section 105 at demarcation 102. The surface at demarcation 102 may comprise tape, string, a perforated surface, or some other means that may be readily removed from the upright food holder 101 and allow the first section 104 to be separated from the second section 105.

FIG. 4A illustrates embodiment 400 wherein one ring (first section 104) has been removed from the upright food holder 401. A second portion of the wrapped food item 301 is now exposed, i.e. the second portion is above the top of the remaining upright food holder 401.

FIG. 4B illustrates embodiment 425 wherein a ring is being removed. Specifically, FIG. 4B shows an upright food holder with a partially eaten burrito 426 wherein the first section 427 (or ring) is being removed by hand from the upright food holder. The remaining portion of the upright food holder 101 is upright food holder 401. The discarded tin foil 428 is also illustrated.

FIG. 4C illustrates embodiment 450 of an upright food holder with a burrito with one section (ring) removed, and the discarded tin foil. As shown, a remaining portion of a burrito 426 wherein a first portion of the burrito has been consumed and a first section 427 of the upright food holder 251 has been removed. The remaining upright food holder 401 supports the remaining portion of the burrito 426. As illustrated in FIG. 4C, tin foil 453 is being removed from the remaining portion of the burrito 426. The discarded tin foil 428 is also illustrated.

FIG. 5 illustrates embodiment 500 of the remaining upright food holder, with one section (ring) removed, with an additional portion of the wrapped food item consumed. As shown, upright food holder 401 supports the remaining wrapped food item 501 wherein a second portion of the wrapped food item has been consumed such that there is now a small amount of the wrapped food item 501 above the upright food holder 401.

Continuing the process, FIG. 6 illustrates embodiment 600 Wherein a second section (ring) has been removed from the upright food holder. As shown, the second section 105 has been removed, resulting in upright food holder 601. The third portion of the wrapped food item is now exposed and may be consumed. Wrapped food item 501 illustrates the exposed third portion of the wrapped food item arid the unexposed fourth or remaining portion of the wrapper food item.

FIG. 7 illustrates embodiment 700 wherein an additional portion of the wrapped food item is consumed in the upright food holder and wherein two rings have been removed. As shown, the third portion of the wrapped food item has been consumed, leaving the fourth or remaining portion of the wrapped food item 701. A small portion of the wrapped food item 701 is exposed above the remaining upright food holder 601. Subsequently, the wrapped food item 701 may be conveniently picked out of the top of the upright food holder 601 by hand or a utensil and consumed. In the case of the second configuration of the upright food holder 101, where the bottom of the upright food holder has an open base, the small portion of the wrapped food item 701 may also be picked out from the open bottom (Reference prior discussion for FIG. 1, bottom 109).

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment 800 of the upright food holder. This embodiment, upright food holder 801, comprise a tapered cup wherein the tapered cup comprises a spiraling circular strip 803 which may be peeled-away during the process of consuming the wrapped food item in order to expose additional portions of wrapped food item. Demarcation 802 illustrates the form of the spiraling circular strip 803 where the portions of the spiraling circular strip 803 may be peeled-away.

FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment 900 of the upright food holder. This embodiment, upright food holder 901, comprise a tapered cup, wherein the tapered cup comprises multiple perpendicular strips 903 that extend from top of the upright food holder 901 to the bottom of the upright food holder 901, wherein the multiple perpendicular strips 903 are peeled-away from the top of the upright food holder 901 to the bottom of the upright food holder 901 in order to expose additional portions of wrapped food item. The multiple perpendicular strips 903 are separated at demarcation 902.

A flexible band or a flexible ring 904 may be used for additional support, as illustrated in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the upright food holder 901 is reduced in size by moving a flexible band or a flexible ring 904 down the upright food holder 901—from the top of the upright food holder 901 to the bottom of the upright food holder 901—allowing the multiple perpendicular strips (relative to the top and bottom of the upright food holder) to be peeled-away from the top of the upright food holder 901 (similar to a banana) down to the flexible band or the flexible ring 904.

Alternatively, the upright food holder may have a shape different than a cup. Multi-sided containers such as square, rectangles, hexagons, etc. are possible upright food holders so long as they are able to support the wrapped food item when placed in the upright food holder.

Method of Eating with an Upright Food Holder

A method of consuming a wrapped food item comprises placing the wrapped food item 201 into an upright food holder 101; and removing one or more portions of the upright food holder 101 during a process of consuming the wrapped food item 201; wherein the wrapped food item 201 comprises a substantially cylindrical shape.

The upright food holder 101 comprises a tapered cup, wherein the tapered cup comprises one or more sections that divide the upright food holder into one or more rings.

The method further comprising the steps of: unwrapping a protective cover from a first portion from the wrapped food item, wherein the first portion of the wrapped food item extends from top of the upright food holder 101 to the top of the wrapped food item 201; consuming the first portion of the wrapped food item.

The next step comprising pulling a peel-away tab located between as first section 104 and a second section 105 of the upright food holder 101; removing the first section 104 of the upright food holder 101 and exposing a second portion of the remaining portion of wrapped food item 301; wherein the second portion of the wrapped food item 301 extends from the top of the second section 105 of the upright food holder 401 to the top of remaining portion of the wrapped food item 301; unwrapping the protective cover from the second portion of the wrapped food item; consuming the second portion of the wrapped food item.

The next step comprises pulling the peel-away tab located between the second section 105 and a third section 106 of the upright food holder 401; removing the second section 105 of the upright food holder 401 and exposing a third portion of the wrapped food item, wherein the third portion of the wrapped food item extends from the top of the third section 106 of the upright food holder 601 to the top of the remaining portions of the wrapped food item 501.

The next step comprises unwrapping the third portion of the wrapped food item and consuming the third portion of the wrapped food item. The next step comprises removing by hand the fourth or remaining portion of the wrapped food item 701 from the third section of the upright food holder 601 and unwrapping the protective cover from the fourth or remaining portion of the wrapped food item 701. Finally, the last step comprises consuming the remaining portion of the wrapped food item 701.

The upright food holder 601 illustrates one embodiment with three sections. Other embodiments are possible with inure or less umber of sections or rings. The aforementioned process may be repeated by removing the next one or more sections of the upright food holder until the wrapped food item is consumed.

The method may Further comprise the step of adding a sauce to top of the wrapped food item 201 during the process on consuming the wrapped food item 201.

This method may be applied to a food item that is wrapped and has a substantially cylindrical shape. The wrapped food item may be selected from the group of burritos, wraps, shawarmas, gyros, falafels, and a special shaped sandwiches. The wrapped food item may be wrapped with a protective cover, such as tin foil.

For example, a burrito is made by placing a tortilla on a square of tin foil and placing a mixture of meat, beans, green onions, etc. on to the burrito. After sprinkling shredded cheese on top of the burrito, the burrito is rolled up with the tin foil.

The upright food holder is a cup that may he slightly tapered, with the top larger than the bottom; the size of the cup varies depending upon the size of the wrapped food item. The sides of the upright, food holder may be removed to facilitate the consumption of the wrapped food item. The methods for removing sides of the to upright food holder comprise string, tape, and perforations. Hence, the upright food holder comprises either string, tape, or perforations to provide for the removal of the portions of the upright food bolder.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention. For example, any combination of any of the systems or methods described in this disclosure is possible. For example, the upright food holder may have more or less sections (rings) as compared with embodiment 100 as illustrated in FIG. 1. 

What is claimed:
 1. A method of consuming a wrapped food item comprising the steps of: placing the wrapped food item into an upright food holder, and removing one or more portions of the upright food holder during a process of consuming the wrapped food item, wherein the wrapped food item comprises a substantially cylindrical shape.
 2. The method of claim I wherein the upright food holder comprises a cup, wherein the cup comprises one or more sections that divide the upright food holder into one or more rings.
 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of, unwrapping a protective cover from a first portion from the wrapped food item, wherein the first portion of the wrapped food item extends from top of the upright food holder to top of the wrapped food item; consuming the first portion of the wrapped food item; pulling a peel-away tab located between a first section and a second section of the upright food holder; removing the first section of the upright food holder and exposing a second portion of the wrapped food item, wherein the second portion of the wrapped food item extends from the top of the second section of the upright food holder to the top of remaining portion of the wrapped food item; and continuing the steps of unwrapping the protective cover, consuming the wrapped food item, pulling the peel-away tab and removing the next one or more sections of the upright food holder until the wrapped food item is consumed.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the upright food holder composes either string, tape, or perforations to provide for the removal of the portions of the upright food holder.
 5. An apparatus comprising: an upright food holder with removable portions wherein the removable portions are removed from the upright food holder during a process of consuming wrapped food item.
 6. The apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the upright food holder is a cup with one or more removable rings.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a peel-away tab that enables the removal of a ring of the cup.
 8. The apparatus of the claim 6 wherein the cup is a tapered cup.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein dimensions of the upright food holder and the degree of taper of the upright food holder is selected such that the upright food holder is stable when the wrapped food item is placed in the upright food holder.
 10. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the wrapped food item is selected from the group of burritos, wraps, shawarmas, gyros, falafels, and special shaped sandwiches.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the wrapped food item is wrapped with a protective cover.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the protective cover is tin foil.
 13. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the upright food holder comprises a tapered cup, wherein the tapered cup comprises a spiraling circular strip which is peeled-away in order to expose additional portions of wrapped food item.
 14. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the upright food holder comprises a tapered cup, wherein the tapered cup comprises multiple perpendicular strips that extend from top of the upright food holder to the bottom of the upright food holder, wherein the multiple perpendicular strips are peeled-away from the top of the upright to food holder to the bottom of the upright food holder in order to expose additional portions of the wrapped food item.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the upright food holder further comprises either a flexible band or a flexible ring, wherein the upright food holder is reduced in size by moving the flexible band or the flexible ring down the upright food holder, from the top of the upright food holder to the bottom of the upright food holder, allowing the multiple perpendicular strips to be peeled-away from the top of the upright food holder to the flexible band or the flexible ring.
 16. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the upright food holder comprises either siring, tape, or perforations to provide for the removal of the portions of the upright food holder. 